Blood in the Streets
Gangs Lives Up to Scorsese's Reputation

Martin Scorsese is a legendary director best known for the violence in his films like Goodfellas and Taxi Driver. His films show desperation, anger, and revenge in New York City. While this may be a public relations nightmare for the NYC convention and visitors bureau, his vision has made an indelible impression on America's idea of the streets of the Big Apple. With Gangs of New York, another chapter of NYC history has been focused through the Scorsese lens.

To call the groups fighting in New York City during the mid 1800s "gangs" is to do them injustice. Clans would be closer. Armies would be better. As the film opens, Priest Vallon (Liam Neeson) leads his "Dead Rabbits" against the "Natives" led by William "The Butcher" Cutting (Daniel Day-Lewis). The prejudice between the Natives and the Irish culminates in an all-out war and the death of Priest Vallon. The Priest's boy is sent away to a reform prison, a merciful gesture by Cutting.

As expected, the story becomes one of revenge as Amsterdam Vallon (Leonardo DiCaprio) grows up and is released from prison. He returns straight away to the Five Points where his father was killed. The world he left has not changed. Pickpockets and grifters, whores and muggers pour out of the woodwork. And every year, Cutting and his boys celebrate their "victory" over the Irish gang.

All of this is set against city politics and the backdrop of the Civil War. As immigrants come off the boats, they are enlisted into the Union Army "to serve their new country." The growing number of immigrants soon means a shift in the political power in the city. Boss Tweed (Jim Broadbent) even tries to rally the gangs to produce votes for his Tammany Hall.

Day-Lewis provides a first-rate performance as Cutting. He lords over his thugs with a menacing graciousness that reminds one of a tiger ready to pounce. John C. Reilly and Brendan Gleeson also fill in outstanding supporting roles. Cameron Diaz is practically wasted as Jennie Everdeane. The role is pure fluff and she does nothing to advance the story.

Gangs is a feast for the eyes. Epic in proportion, the film rebuilds the Five Points so realistically one can imagine that the entire city of New York was reconstructed. The squalor of the poor is offset by the opulence of the rich, even as the dingy grays clash with splashes of color. Of course, red -- blood red -- is the dominant color of the film.

The violence is almost frightening at times, but no worse than seen in films like Braveheart or Saving Private Ryan. Keeping in mind that these people were at war with each other, it becomes understandable that Scorsese chose not to curb the bloodletting. The violence in New York becomes a part of the violence of the Civil War. Eventually, one influences the other in a very important way.

While Gangs is a wonderfully directed film with some outstanding acting, the story fails in many ways. Certain characters are unnecessary. Some storylines are uninteresting. In addition, there are times when the film seems mired in its own grandeur, as if the scenery won't allow the film to move forward.

Friends of mine asked if they should see the film on the big screen or wait for DVD. I urged them to see it in the theater, if only because Scorsese fills the entire screen. Gangs of New York is an amazing film, even if it is less than perfect.

MY RATING: 8 out of 10.

RATED: R
RUN TIME: 168 min.